New homes part of redevelopment plans for South Liverpool police club

A collection of family homes could be built at Riversdale police club as part of plans to revamp facilities at the Aigburth site.

Merseyside Police Sports and Social Association’s (MPSSA) planning application also includes proposals for a new clubhouse and improved sports pitches.

Also known as the Alfred Holt Recreation Ground, the 3.3-hectare site on Riversdale Road has been used by the MPSSA since 1997.

The club is utilised for a variety of sporting purposes including cricket, rugby and football matches, as well as social events which take place in and around the clubhouse.

MPSSA is now seeking full permission to erect a new clubhouse and improve the sports pitches, alongside outline permission for up to 12 new homes.

The properties, which would be two-storey family homes, would be built on the site of the existing clubhouse and car park.

Entrance to Riversdale police club viewed from Riversdale Road.

MPSSA says the sale of the land for use as housing is necessary to provide sufficient capital to fund the new clubhouse, field upgrades and development of a small all-weather pitch.

The two-storey clubhouse would include a gym, changing rooms and a bar with snug and lounge areas, as well as a new function suite on the first floor that would be capable of hosting events for up to 180 people.

According to a document included with the planning application, the existing use of the Aigburth facility is “severely restricted” by poor ground conditions, meaning up to one third of all sporting fixtures are lost through waterlogging.

The document adds: “This application will enable the club to offer more playing sessions and with greater reliability.

“Through clubhouse redevelopment [this application] provides significantly improved facilities to support the sports offer of the site and by the release of non-essential land for housing development it provides the resources required to address the deteriorating condition of the existing pitches.”